As I write more, I continue to learn new tips on word usage: correct and incorrect. Here are two I often catch in critique group manuscripts as well as in published books:
1. Blonde vs. blond – A person is a blonde but hair is blond.
2. Lectern vs. podium – I find this misused all the time. A podium is a platform you stand on to speak, but a lectern is the goodie you stand behind and put your notes on.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Brainstorming
Authors use many different methods to brainstorm ideas for their writing. Here are two techniques I use while I’m preparing to start a new manuscript or while writing it.
1. Before going to sleep, I review what notes I’ve made or where I left off in my manuscript. This gives me a chance to noodle on it over night. The subconscious often presents me with some excellent ideas this way.
2. I’m a morning writer. After I complete my work, I often take a walk around noon. In addition to my exercise, this is a good brainstorming time for me. I take a pad of paper and a pen, and when an idea strikes me. I stop and write it down.
1. Before going to sleep, I review what notes I’ve made or where I left off in my manuscript. This gives me a chance to noodle on it over night. The subconscious often presents me with some excellent ideas this way.
2. I’m a morning writer. After I complete my work, I often take a walk around noon. In addition to my exercise, this is a good brainstorming time for me. I take a pad of paper and a pen, and when an idea strikes me. I stop and write it down.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Juggling Writing and Editing
I only work on one new writing manuscript at a time, but I may have multiple projects in various stages of editing. Right now, I’m writing the sixth book in the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery series. At the same time, I have two other manuscripts being reviewed by my two online critique groups. As I get feedback from my critique partners, I go back and edit these novels. Then I’ve just completed the copy edits for the fourth book in the Paul Jacobson series, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder. This is scheduled for publication by Five Star in December of this year. Also, I have another novel for which I’m getting feedback from readers. As I get comments, I edit this one. And finally, I’ve recently signed a contract for book five in the Paul Jacobson series titled, Care Homes Are Murder. This manuscript is completed and has gone through my edits but next will be suggestions coming back from my developmental editor. Never a dull moment.
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